Free agent Furcal agrees to one
The Miami Marlins are adding a veteran bat to their infield, just not at the position most anticipated.
A league source confirmed a Fox Sports report that Rafael Furcal has agreed to a one-year deal to be the club's starting second baseman. The contract is believed to include a $3.5 million base salary with bonuses based on playing time.
A three-time All-Star shortstop renowned for his throwing arm, Furcal has appeared in 36 games (30 starts) at second during a 13-year big league career. The last of those came as a member of the Braves in 2004. All but four of his starts at second came during his 2000 rookie season.
The switch-hitting Furcal, who turned 36 in February, hit .264/.325/.346 in 121 games for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March and missed all of last season. In August 2012, Furcal was diagnosed with a torn UCL. He opted not to have offseason surgery and the elbow began barking during spring training.
From 2010-12, Furcal averaged just 101 games due to various injuries. He missed time in 2010 with hamstring and back issues, and in 2011 he had an oblique injury and later fractured a thumb. Furcal was coming off a two-year, $14 million deal.
The signing does not bode well for Donovan Solano, who likely will vie for a utility role come spring training. Third base remains an area of need. Were camp to open today, Ed Lucas and Derek Dietrich would compete for the starting job.
Earlier this week, the Marlins came to terms with free agent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia on a three-year, $21 million deal. The club may be planning to introduce him at the Winter Meetings Monday in Orlando.
jcrodriguez@tribune.com or @JCRMarlinsbeat on Twitter.
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